McDonald’s, the global fast-food giant, is making significant changes to its menu in 2025, with a focus on affordability and new flavor options. While the classic Filet-O-Fish remains a constant, the chain is also expanding its chicken offerings and introducing value-driven deals. Here’s what customers can expect from McDonald’s chicken and fish sandwiches in 2025.

The Filet-O-Fish: A Classic Under Scrutiny

The Filet-O-Fish, a mainstay on the McDonald’s menu since 1962, continues to be a popular choice. This sandwich features a fried breaded fish fillet, a half slice of American cheese, and tartar sauce on a steamed bun. While the core components have remained consistent for decades, the sandwich has recently faced scrutiny, with some customers claiming a noticeable decrease in size.

Shrinkflation Allegations

Social media has been buzzing with claims that the Filet-O-Fish has shrunk, a phenomenon known as “shrinkflation”. Customers have posted videos and comments, comparing the current sandwich to its previous iterations. Despite these claims, McDonald’s has consistently denied making any changes to the sandwich’s size or build. A spokesperson for McDonald’s USA stated that the size and components of the Filet-O-Fish have not changed in decades. However, the debate continues among loyal fans who perceive a difference.

The Composition of the Filet-O-Fish

Regardless of size debates, the sandwich’s basic composition remains unchanged. It features a fried fish fillet, currently made with sustainable Alaskan Pollock. This has been the case since McDonald’s partnered with the Marine Stewardship Council in 2013, ensuring the fish comes from sustainable sources. The simple combination of a fish patty, half slice of American cheese, and tartar sauce on a steamed bun has been a consistent draw for customers looking for a pescatarian option.

McDonald’s Chicken Sandwiches: A Growing Focus

McDonald’s is doubling down on its chicken offerings, introducing new sandwiches and variations of existing ones to compete with other fast-food chains. This strategy reflects the growing popularity of chicken-based options.

The McCrispy: A Southern-Style Favorite

The McCrispy is McDonald’s entry into the crispy chicken sandwich market. This sandwich features a southern-style fried chicken fillet, topped with crinkle-cut pickles, all served on a buttered potato roll. The McCrispy is designed to offer a crispy, juicy, and tender experience, positioning itself as a direct competitor to other popular chicken sandwiches. It’s become a popular item with a good reputation for flavor and texture.

The Spicy McCrispy and Variations

In addition to the classic McCrispy, McDonald’s has introduced variations, such as the Spicy McCrispy. These options cater to customers looking for a more flavorful experience and often include spicy sauces or other additions to the standard sandwich. Additionally, the BBQ Smokehouse McCrispy is making a return in 2025. This sandwich includes a crispy chicken breast fillet with smoky barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, red onions, and lettuce, all served on a sourdough sesame seed bun.

The Chicken Big Mac

Another notable addition is the Chicken Big Mac. This sandwich takes the classic Big Mac concept and replaces the beef patties with two chicken patties. It includes lettuce, cheese, Big Mac sauce, and pickles, creating a unique flavor combination that aims to appeal to both chicken and Big Mac fans. While it has received some mixed reviews, with some finding the Big Mac sauce an odd pairing for chicken, it remains a significant addition to the menu. Some reviews have noted that the sandwich can be quite large, and some find it flimsy.

Chicken Katsu Wraps

McDonald’s is also expanding its wrap offerings with the introduction of Chicken Katsu Wraps. These wraps feature a choice of grilled or crispy chicken, katsu sauce, crispy onions, cucumber, and lettuce, all wrapped in a warm, toasted tortilla. These wraps provide a lighter option compared to the larger sandwiches, and offer a different flavor profile.

The Return of the Snack Wrap?

Following the popularity of the McCrispy, rumors suggest that the Snack Wrap, a former fan favorite, may be making a comeback in 2025, potentially using the crispy chicken strips. The snack wrap, which features a smaller portion of chicken, lettuce, cheese and sauce, is a nostalgic item that many customers would like to see on the menu again. While no official dates have been announced, this is a development that many McDonald’s enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating.

Value and Affordability: The McValue Menu

In 2025, McDonald’s is placing a significant emphasis on value and affordability with the introduction of the McValue menu. This menu includes a “Buy One, Add One” offer, allowing customers to add a second item for just $1 when purchasing a regular-priced item from the McValue menu.

McValue Menu Options

The McValue menu includes items from both breakfast and lunch/dinner options. Some notable options in the “Buy One, Add One” deal include:

• Breakfast: Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Biscuit, Sausage Burrito, Hash Browns.
• Lunch/Dinner: 6-pc Chicken McNuggets, Double Cheeseburger, McChicken, Small Fries.

This strategy aims to attract customers who may have been deterred by rising prices, and aims to compete with other fast-food chains that are also focusing on value-driven deals. The $5 Meal Deal, which includes a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, a drink, and a choice of either a McChicken or McDouble, is also a permanent fixture, further solidifying McDonald’s focus on affordability.

Other Notable Menu Changes in 2025

In addition to the new chicken and value items, other changes are coming to McDonald’s menus in 2025:

• The Big Arch Burger: This new burger features two quarter-pound patties and a special new sauce.
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: By 2026, all U.S. locations will offer Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
• New wraps: The Chicken Katsu wraps are new additions to the menu in 2025.
• Return of McCrispy BBQ Smokehouse and Mozzarella Dippers: Some fan favorites are making a return to the menu in 2025.

These changes are a clear indication that McDonald’s is working to keep its menu fresh and appealing while remaining affordable.

Conclusion

McDonald’s 2025 menu reflects a push for innovation, value, and a continued focus on customer favorites. The Filet-O-Fish remains a classic, despite the ongoing size debates. The expansion of the chicken menu, with the introduction of items like the McCrispy, Chicken Big Mac, and Chicken Katsu Wraps, positions McDonald’s to cater to a broader range of tastes. The McValue menu also shows McDonald’s effort to provide affordable options amidst rising costs. These changes will likely shape the fast-food landscape, and McDonald’s position within it for years to come.